EUROFLORA, THE RIVIERA & THE LAKES

8 Days / 7 Nights

Tuesday April 26 – Tuesday May 3

Departure dates for this itinerary are meant to be tentative. Different dates, as well as itinerary modifications, may be organized provided that they are during the period of Euroflora 2011.

Semi escorted tour.

Private deluxe coach for the whole duration of the tour.

An incredible Luxury Italy Small Group Tour designed specifically for people who are passionate about flowers and plants in the occasion of Euroflora 2011, the most popular flower show among enthusiasts.

After 5 long years of wait Euroflora is going to be back in 2011 and promises to be THE SHOW to visit for all flower and plants lovers from around the globe!

The tour combines 2 full days visit to Euroflora 2011 with the discovery of the most beautiful gardens of the Italian Riviera and the Lakes.

The tour features visits to Gardens La Cervara or the “Italian Garden” of Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita Ligure, or alternatively Giardini Hanbury in Ventimiglia or Giardino Esotico Pallanca in Bordighera, Princess Grace Rose Garden and the Exotic Garden in Monaco (Montecarlo) and the Gardens on the islands of Lake Maggiore.

The tour combines plenty of opportunities for satisfying yuor botanical appettite together with incredible cultural activities, and authentical Italian food experience: you will learn the basics of Italian cooking with a joyfull cooking class experience, you assist to an opera in one of the most famous and innovative Italian theaters in Genoa, you will enjoy unforgettable Italian eating experiences.

This incredible tour is enriched with private cultural tours with experienced local guides:  Genoa home town of the discoverer of America Christopher Columbus and legendary violinist Paganini, Milan home of Leonardo’s Last Supper, the islands of Lake Maggiore with their palaces and breathtaking gardens.

The tour features free time to discover at own leisure some amazing locations: admire luxury yachts in the harbor and enjoy walking through the narrow alleys with their beautiful boutiques in the tiny village of Portofino, or alternatively stroll through the elegant boulevard loved by the international jetset in Monaco (Montecarlo), discover the villages of Le 5 Terre by boat and train, admire one of Leonardo Da Vinci masterpieces (the Last Supper) in Milan.

Euro 2.295 per person* minimum 12 persons up to 20

When you reach 11 paying guests, we recognise 1 gratuity.

*(based on double occupancy)

The Package at a glance

  • 7  Nights Accommodation in exclusive and fascinating 5/4 star Hotels, with full buffet breakfasts: 5 nights in Genoa, 2 nights in Milan
  • 2 Dinners at exclusive and beautiful gourmet restaurants  and 2 Lunches in typical Italian restaurants
  • Opera at Teatro Carlo Felice, the amazing Opera House of Genoa
  • Exclusive Italian Cooking Class (half day) with an expert chef
  • Private visits to some of the most beautiful Gardens of The Riviera:  Gardens La Cervara or the “Italian Garden” of Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita Ligure, or alternatively Giardini Hanbury in Ventimiglia, Giardino Esotico Pallanca in Bordighera, Princess Grace Rose Garden and the Exotic Garden in Monaco (Montecarlo), the wonderful  Baroc  Style Italian Garden on Isola Bella and the Isola Madre Park full of amazing plants and animated by peacocks, parrots and pheasants in Lake Maggiore
  • Private sightseeing walking Tours with expert local English Speaking Guides,  including all the entrance fees to the sites visited: Genoa (the ancient port, the “caruggi”- dark narrow alleys, medieval churches, Renaissance palaces, Opera House - Teatro Carlo Felice), Milan (the Cathedral - Duomo, the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci), Lake Maggiore (Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori)
  • Shopping opportunities in Genoa and in Milan
  • Private deluxe minibus with private driver, available for the entire Tour (including airport transfers)
  • Our professional assistance for the whole duration of the Tour

This program/package has been designed for luxury small groups minimum of 12 up to 20 guests to provide the most accurate and bespoke service.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 0 – MONDAY APRIL 25TH 2011 – Departure from Hometown

DAY 1 – TUESDAY APRIL 26TH 2011 Arrival in Italy: Tour starts  – MILAN - GENOA

Morning:

  • Arrival at Milan Airport and transfer by deluxe coach to Genoa
  • Check-in at a beautiful historical and very elegant 4* hotel in Genoa downtown

Afternoon:

  • Walking  tour of the city. Genoa is known in the world as the birthplace of the discoverer of America Christopher Columbus and legendary violinist Paganini. At your arrival in Genoa, the bus will take you to ancient port. From there, the tour escort will guide you through the labyrinth of “caruggi” (dark narrow alleys) punctuated  with medieval churches and Renaissance palaces up to  Piazza de Ferrari with its amazing Opera House (Teatro Carlo Felice) and the elegant shopping streets of Via XX Settembre, Via Roma and Galleria Mazzini.
  • Welcome dinner
  • Accomodation in Genoa

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Milan Airport to hotel in Genoa.
  • Private guided tour of Genoa.
  • Welcome dinner.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY APRIL 27TH 2011 - GENOA

  • Full day visit at EUROFLORA
  • Opera or concert at Teatro Carlo Felice, the amazing Opera House of Genoa whose interiors are decorated to resemble the houses facing a typical square of Genoa.
  • Accomodation in Genoa

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Hotel to Euroflora and back.
  • Reservation and entrance tickets to Euroflora 2011.
  • Reservation and entrance tickets to opera or concert at Teatro Carlo Felice.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 3 – THURSDAY APRIL 28TH 2011 - GENOA

  • Full day visit at EUROFLORA
  • Accomodation in Genoa

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Hotel to Euroflora and back.
  • Reservation and entrance tickets to Euroflora 2011.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 4 – FRIDAY APRIL 29TH 2011 – GARDENS OF THE ITALIAN RIVIERA & PORTOFINO

Morning:

  • Transfer by deluxe coach to world famous famous Italian Riviera with its prestigious seaside towns (Portofino, Sestri Levante, Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure) and visit to the Gardens La Cervara in Santa Margherita Ligure. This is a monumental Italian garden, the only one still in Liguria, on two levels connected by pergolas and steps. On the lower part, box-tree hedges (Buxus Sempervirens L.) are shaped in geometric designs such as cones and graded cones (a noteworthy example of the artistic shaping of plants), surround the 17th century marble fountain representing a putto. The plants along the walls or along the borders as well as the vines on the ancient pergolas are all part of the garden architecture. Among the numerous species we can find the colourful strelitzia, citrus plants, oleander and Aleppo pines, a centuries-old pepper tree and the rare pink capers.  On the East side of the lower garden the pergola is covered with a huge purple wisteria (Wisteria sinesis L.) more than a hundred years old.  On the upper part of the garden there are octagonal pillars covered with Trachelospermum jasminoides L., whose flowers give off a delightful jasmine perfume.

Villa Durazzo

  • Or alternatively, visit to Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita Ligure. This “Italian Garden” is characterized by the geometric designs of the box-trees hedges embellished by several plants of Cycadacee – among them some rare male plants of Cycas revoluta and an example of Encephalartos Lehmannii. Along the borders of the garden are plants of hydrangea, magnolia and various species of camellia japonica including the important variety “Contessa Lavinia Maggi”. The “Romantic English Wood” lies on the other side of the hill and displays holm oaks, cypress-trees, camphors, lindens and pine-trees mix with a large variety of palms, including Phoenix Canariensis, Washingtonia filifera, Jubaea chilensis and creates  a suggestive medley of exotic and Mediterranean flora.  The park of Villa Durazzo is enriched by statues, fountains and flower boxes and crossed by paths paved with white and black cobblestones that lead to the terrace in front of the villa, where precious floral mosaics seem to extend the vegetation to the house door.  At the bottom of the park, the “Prince Centurione’s Secret Garden” is a small jewel set in the green; in the 19th century it was the hidden refuge for lovers and still keeps the romantic atmosphere of that time.
  • Cooking class of typical mediterranean food from Liguria (pesto, pasta, etc.) in Rapallo.
  • Lunch with the exquisite food prepared by the guest themselves with the assistance of a chef.

Afternoon:

  • Free time to visit the tiny seaside village of Portofino nowadays famous for being a luxury holiday destination for the international jet set. You will admire luxury yachts in the harbor and enjoy walking through the narrow alley in the old part of the village with their beautiful boutiques.
  • Accomodation in Genoa

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Hotel to the Italian Riviera and back.
  • Cooking class.
  • Lunch.
  • Guided visit either to Gardens La Cervara or alternatively guided visit to the Gardens of  Villa Durazzo (reservation and entrance tickets included) in Santa Margherita Ligure.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

Alternatively, we can propose the following different itinerary for DAY 4:

DAY 4 – FRIDAY APRIL 29TH 2011 – GIARDINI HANBURY or GIARDINO ESOTICO PALLANCA & MONTECARLO (Monaco)

Morning:

  • Transfer by deluxe coach to Ventimiglia the Italian town on the border with France and Guided  visit to the Giardini Hanbury, an incredible 18 hectares botanic garden overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The visitor descend 103m from the entrance to the sea, winding down the numerous path through 9 hectares of garden, within which are found the Australian forest, rich in eucalyptus, the acacia area, bamboos, the succulent collection and the scented garden below the Giardinetti with roses and peonies. Elsewhere is the citrus collection with many old varieties as well as an area of many exotic fruits trees and many climbers on pergolas.
  • Or alternatively, visit to Giardino Esotico Pallanca in Bordighera. The Cactus and Succulent collection within the property will leave the spectator thunderstruck in front of such a rare sight. The garden’s 10,000 sq.mt. contain more than 3000 varieties and approx. 30,000 specimens and offer scenery that, due to the setting and the care with which they are presented, is truly unique. The collection is arranged vertically along terraces that offer a stunning view sheer above the sea at every level.
  • Lunch

Afternoon:

  • Transfer to Montecarlo (Monaco) and free time to stroll through the elegant boulevard of this tiny kingdom loved by the international jetset.
  • Or alternatively visit to 2 Botanical Gardens: Princess Grace Rose Garden and Exotic Garden. The main attraction of the Princess Grace Rose Garden is the wide range of rose plants. The park houses a total of some 4,000 rose trees. There are about 150 varieties of rose plants from all over the world. Visitors come to see the special variety of European and American roses. During the blooming season you can smell the fragrance of these flowers.  The Exotic Garden in its prestigious, open-air setting, brings together a wide variety of “succulent” plants. The plant species represented in this Garden come from several faraway arid zones (hence the name “Exotic”): cacti and agaves come from the south-western United States, Mexico, and Central and South America; the other succulent plants are from southern and eastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula.
  • Accomodation in Genoa

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Genoa to Giardini Hanbury or Giardino Esotico Pallanca, and to Montecarlo.
  • Guided visit (reservation and entrance tickets included) to Giardini Hanbury in Ventimiglia or Giardino Esotico Pallanca in Bordighera.
  • Lunch.
  • Visit to Princess Grace Rose Garden and the Exotic Garden (reservation and entrance tickets included) in Montecarlo.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 5 – SATURDAY APRIL 30TH 2011 – LE 5 TERRE

Full day excursion to Le 5 Terre:

  • Transfer by deluxe coach to world famous Le 5 Terre with their colourful and picturesque fishermen’s villages hanging over the sea.
  • Free time to visit a few of the villages of Le 5 Terre by boat and train.
  • Accomodation in Genoa

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Hotel to Le 5 Terre and back.
  • 5 Terre card.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 6 – SUNDAY MAY 1ST  2011 – MILAN

Morning:

  • Check-out from hotel in Genoa.
  • Transfer by deluxe coach to Milan.
  • Check-in at a beautiful, 4 star and very well run hotel in the most fashionable district of Milan where participants will have within walking distance plenty of opportunities to shop in the best Italian fashion and design shops as well as to experience Milan’s world famous night life.

Afternoon:

  • Guided visit of Milan highlights: the magnificent Cathedral, the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, with beautiful Italian designers’ shops, the La Scala theatre, the Castello Sforzesco and the Madonna delle Grazie Church, where you will admire one of Leonardo Da Vinci masterpieces: the Last Supper.
  • Accomodation in Milan

Services included:

  • Private Transfer from Hotel in Genoa to Hotel in Milan.
  • Guided visit to Milan highlights (reservation and entrance tickets to the Last Supper included).
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 7 – MONDAY MAY 2ND 2011 - LAKE MAGGIORE & THE BORROMEO ISLANDS

Full day excursion to Lake Maggiore and the Borromeo Islands:

  • Transfer by deluxe coach from Hotel in Milan to Stresa on Lake Maggiore.
  • Guided visit by boat to the Borromeo Islands: Isola Bella with its magnificent Palace and the wonderful  Baroc  Style Italian Garden; Isola Madre with its park full of amazing plants and animated by beautiful birds such peacocks, parrots and pheasants.
  • Lunch at Isola dei Pescatori
  • Farewell dinner
  • Accomodation in Milan

Services included:

  • Guided boat visit to Borromeo Islands and their botanical gardens/parks (reservation and entrance tickets included).
  • Lunch at Isola dei Pescatori.
  • Farewell dinner.
  • Double room in central 4 star hotel, taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 8  – TUESDAY MAY 3RD 2011 - End of Tour

Morning:

  • Check-out from hotel in Milan
  • Transfer by deluxe coach to Milan Airport for departure to Hometown

Services included:

  • Transfer by deluxe coach from Hotel in Milan to Airport.